Prohear
Prei Khmeng? no · Phum Snay? distinct Prohear mass burial · Prey Veng Prohear
Iron Age Funan precursor 500 BCE–200 CE → Funan–Chenla·Mekong Iron Age (Prohear) → Funan (proto-Khmer)·🇰🇭 Prey Veng Province, Ba Phnum District, Prohear village (southern Cambodia, Mekong between Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh, 60 km east of Phnom Penh), Cambodia
About
About Prohear
Iron Age mass burial and settlement terrace (c.500 BCE–200 CE) at Prohear in Prey Veng near Mekong, southern Cambodia — circular mound 0.8 ha excavated 2008–11 by Andreas Reinecke (German–Cambodian) uncovering the richest Iron Age mass grave in Cambodia (52 burials with gold earrings, agate, carnelian, glass beads, Han Chinese bronze vessels and iron weapons). Prohear shows Funan precursor settlement with Indian Ocean glass–agate trade (Arikamedu parallel) and Han import bowls, with pottery and textile remains rare for Cambodia. The mass burial (15 contemporaneous bodies in one pit) suggests violence before Mekong Funan trans-peninsular trade unification.
Why it mattersRichest Mekong Iron Age burial (52 bodies with gold + Han bronze) — Prohear as Funan predecessor with Indian–Han trade 200 BCE before Oc Eo.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mass 15 deaths — epidemic or battle before Funan?
Theories
- 01Prohear violence as Funan state formation catalyst before Angkor Borei
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.500 BCE Iron Age terrace hamlet on Mekong levee
- Period
- Iron Age Funan precursor 500 BCE–200 CE → Funan–Chenla
- Culture
- Mekong Iron Age (Prohear) → Funan (proto-Khmer)
- Builders
- Mekong Iron Age villagers (Funan ancestors, Khmer precursors)
- Purpose
- Mekong levee Iron Age hamlet with mass elite/rank burial before Funan port-polity
- Abandoned
- c.200 CE (transition to Angkor Borei Funan capital)
- Rediscovered
- 2008 pagoda construction rescue; Reinecke German-Cambodian rescue 2008–11
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.500–300 BCE
Mound terrace with gold foil and agate bead horizon
c.200 BCE–200 CE
52 burial mass deposit with Han bronze and iron weapons in one pit
2008
German–Cambodian rescue defines Mekong Iron Age before Funan
On the ground
Structures & features
11.8500° N · 105.7500° E · 10 m · 2 mapped features
Mass Burial Pit
cemetery52-body layered mass grave with gold earrings, Han bronzes and iron (200 BCE)
11.8505° N · 105.7505° ETerrace Habitation Area
settlementLevee hamlet with glass bead and textile-impressed sherd scatter
11.8495° N · 105.7495° E